In a restaurant
1. Listen to these questions. Tick when a waiter might ask each question.
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Before the meal |
During the meal |
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a |
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b |
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c |
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d |
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e |
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f |
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g |
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h |
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Show answers
Before the meal: a, c, d, f
During the meal: b, e, g, h
2. Listen again and match each question (a-h) with a reply (1-8).
1) Yes, I’ve booked a table for eight o’clock. ____
2) No, thank you. I’ll keep it with me. ____
3) Oh, yes, please. It’s very nice. ____
4) Yes, it’s wonderful, thank you. ____
5) Not yet. Can we have a little more time? ____
6) Not for me, thank you. I’m full. ____
7) Oh, it looks lovely! Thank you. ____
8) Yes, please. I’ll have an orange juice. ____
Answer & Transcript
a 2 b 4 c 5 d 8 e 7 f 1 g 3 h 6
Transcript
(Waiter = Canadian)
a Can I take you coat?
b Is everything OK with your meal?
c Are you ready to order?
d Would you like anything to drink first?
e Here’s your main course ___ the steak.
f Have you made a reservation?
g Would you like some more wine?
h Can I get you any dessert?
3. Look at these three short conversations. Try to guess the missing words. Then listen and check.
1)
Customer: Hello. I ________. for seven o’clock. The name’s Katai.
Waiter: Ah, yes. Follow me, please.
2)
Waiter: Are you ________.?
Customer: Yes, for ________. I’d like the soup, please.
Waiter: And for your ________.?
Customer: I’ll have the salmon, thank you.
Waiter: Very good. And would you like ________.?
Customer: Just some mineral water, please.
3)
Waiter: Would you like ________.?
Customer: No, thanks. I’m full. Can I have ________, please?
Answer & Transcript
(Customer = Japanese; Waiter = Canadian)
1)
Customer: Hello. I booked a table for seven o’clock. The name’s Katai.
Waiter: Ah, yes. Follow me, please.
2)
Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Customer: Yes, for starter I’d like the soup, please.
Waiter: And for your main course?
Customer: I’ll have the salmon, thank you.
Waiter: Very good. And would you like anything to drink?
Customer: Just some mineral water, please.
3)
Waiter: Would you like dessert?
Customer: No, thanks. I’m full. Can I have the bill, please?
Deciding what to have
1. Imagine you are on holiday in Rome. You go to a small café for lunch. Listen to the waitress and tick the dishes she describes.
Show answers
Ravioli Filberto, Pollo Toscano, Bistecca al Norte, Tiramisù
2. Write the letter of each expression (a-e) next to the correct dish in the menu. Then listen again and check.
a very light
b quite sweet
c very tasty
d a little salty
e very tender
Answer & Transcript
a Tiramisù
b Ravioli Filberto
c Bruschetta
d Pollo Toscano
e Bistecca al Norte
Transcript
(Waitress = Italian)
Ah, yes, this is a lovely starter. It’s toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic on top, some basil, olive oil, little cheese. Very tasty. So, one bruschetta? This is our house special. Fresh pasta with cheese inside, a tomato and cream sauce. Quite sweet, but if you like ravioli, you’ll love it. Which? This? The second one? This is fried chicken with sautéed potatoes, tomatoes, mushroom and roast red peppers. I’m from Toscana, so I like this one! A little salty, but very good.
Yes, this is grilled beef. Very tender, with a special gravy made from Barolo wine and mushrooms ___ Bistecca is always very popular with the English.
This is a kind of sponge cake. Very light, with lots of cream, and chocolate on top, but it has coffee, a little wine and sugar inside, so it gives you energy. I think ‘Tiramisù’ means ‘Pick me up’ in English.
Describing restaurants
1. Martin Vickers in a TV food critic. He is talking about two restaurants he has been to recently. Listen and complete the review form.
Show answers
The Big Bistro: Service – Good, Food quality – Poor, Value for money 6/10
Sala Thai: Atmosphere – Good, Service – Good, Food quality – Good, Value for money 9/10
2. Listen again and complete Martin’ notes.
The Big Bistro
Atmosphere: quite __________
Staff: __________
Service: very __________
Food: __________ (tuna salad __________, steak rather __________, potatoes __________)
Total cost: __________
Sala Thai
Atmosphere: __________ and __________
Staff: very __________
Service: __________
Food: absolutely __________ (soup very __________, fish very __________)
Total cost: __________
Answer & Transcript
The Big Bistro
Atmosphere: quite sophisticated
Staff: professional
Service: very attentive
Food: disappointing (tuna salad unimaginative, steak rather tough, potatoes under-cooked)
Total cost: £25
Sala Thai
Atmosphere: relaxed and inviting
Staff: very friendly
Service: excellent
Food: absolutely delicious (soup very enjoyable, fish very tasty)
Total cost: £20
Transcript
Well, I went to two very different restaurants this week. The first was The Big Bistro, on King’s Street. As its name suggests, it was big, although the atmosphere was quite sophisticated. The staff were professional and the service was very attentive. The food, though, was disappointing. tuna salad starter was unimaginative and the steak I had for the main course was rather tough. The potatoes were undercooked, too. The meal cost £17, but with £5 for a glass of wine and £3 tip on top, I’d say it was not good value for money, so just six out of ten ___ The second restaurant was Sala Thai on Gilbert Road. An independent restaurant rather than a big chain, the atmosphere here was relaxed and inviting, and the staff were all very friendly. The service was excellent. I had a hot and spicy soup to start with, which was very enjoyable, and for the main course a very tasty fish dish. Absolutely delicious. It was cheap, too – just £20 including drinks and service, so I’d say Sala Thai is definitely worth a visit. Nice out of ten.